WWE: Becky Lynch Should Have Been SmackDown’s Top Face

In recent memory WWE has been guilty of not listening to their fans when it comes to choosing a top level babyface.  The case of Becky Lynch is the latest to fall under that category, and while the SmackDown Women’s Champion is still cheered, she should be more over.

Dating back to WWE Money in the Bank 2018, it became clear that as far as popularity in the SmackDown Women’s Division, it was Becky Lynch, and then everyone else.  With each ascent up the ladder for Becky, the crowd erupted.

At that moment the WWE Universe voiced their opinion and a line in the sand was drawn.  Conflict would be delayed for further down the road though as the WWE Universe enjoyed a fun winning streak that would eventually propel Becky into being the #1 contender for the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship.

Unfortunately the love-fest between Becky and the WWE Universe would be interrupted by the return of Charlotte Flair.  While Charlotte’s return was originally to help her friend after Becky had been blindsided by then champion Carmella, it would be The Queen that would find herself immediately thrust into a #1 contender match herself.

Following Charlotte’s inclusion to the SmackDown Women’s Championship match at WWE SummerSlam 2018, it became clear that the majority of the WWE Universe was still rooting on Becky; then, in the build to SummerSlam, it became clear that either Becky or Charlotte would win the championship, but one would likely turn on the other.

WWE made their biggest mistake by having Charlotte win the SmackDown Women’s Championship clean of any controversy, and following that with Becky turning heel.  Despite the heel turn, fans could still be heard chanting the Irish Lass Kicker’s name.

Finally, at WWE Hell in a Cell 2018, Becky would defeat Charlotte for the championship that she has chased for nearly two years.  Throughout the whole process some fans have been vocal in their support of Becky, but unfortunately she is still booked as a pompous heel and that limits her ceiling as far as a popularity level goes.

While arguments are frequently made that whoever receives more of the cheers is the babyface, that point is misguided when it comes to Becky Lynch.  Becky’s character mimics other heels, and is also presented that way by the announce team, as only Corey Graves defends her actions.

The way Becky is presented to the WWE Universe is important, because it has a huge impact on the younger demographic.  Superstars like John Cena, Roman Reigns, and recently Charlotte Flair have squeaky clean characters that a younger audience typically follows.

While there are always outliers, history would tell us that a big portion of adult fans like edgier characters and younger fans like role models with an impeccable moral code.  Then every once in a while there is a character that can satisfy multiple demographics and is unanimously popular.

This was the case with Becky Lynch.  Becky has some of the same underdog characteristics that made Daniel Bryan as popular as he was from 2013 to 2014.  The better alternative for SummerSlam would have been Becky covering Carmella for the win, when Charlotte interrupts, and throws Becky out of the ring and picks up the win for herself.

Not only would that have kept the story of “right place, right time” going for Charlotte, but it builds even more sympathy for Becky due to fan’s outrage.  The chase is always the best story for the underdog babyface, and that was the best route with Becky.

Maybe you agree, and maybe you disagree, but let me ask you some final questions before you hopefully make up your mind: Would Becky be getting cheered more if she was booked as a babyface? Could she still have shown some “edge” while maintaining a babyface character? Would new fans (no prior storyline knowledge) to WWE cheer Becky if they saw her current character for the first time?

Now that Becky has the SmackDown Women’s Championship, will her support diminish over the next couple of months?